Electronic information distributing terminal equipment

ABSTRACT

Herein disclosed is an electronic information distributing terminal equipment for storing and distributing the electronic information containing a text information and a corresponding motion image information in a memory card equipped with an electrically reloadable nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, which equipment comprises a card stock having a plurality of memory cards stored in advance with the information which has been transmitted through a communication interface for transmitting the electronic information to be distributed, wherein the electronic information is distributed by discharging the memory card even in response to a demand for distributing only the electronic information, and wherein the memory card inserted with the demand is utilized again as a new card stock. As a result, it is possible to provide an electronic information distributing terminal equipment capable of efficiently conducting the service of distributing the electronic information containing text information and corresponding motion image information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technique for distributing electronicinformation (such as a kind of multimedia information) including textinformation and its corresponding motion image information, a techniquefor reproducing the distributed electronic information, and a techniquefor utilizing a memory card having an electrically rewritablenonvolatile semiconductor memory as a medium for distributing theelectronic information. More particularly, the present invention relatesto a technique which is effective if applied to an electronic newspaperdistributing terminal and a distributed electronic newspaper reproducingsystem for realizing an application to be called a kind of motion imageelectronic newspaper, for example.

BACKGROUND ART

In multimedia at present, newspapers or TV programs form a major part.Newspapers are the most convenient and portable information media.However, as recording and display media, newspapers are excellent in thequality of displaying text or documents, but their graphic informationis limited to static images. On the other hand, the TV intrinsicallyhandles the graphic information and is excellent in the quick service ofinformation. However, the TV is inferior in portability to newspapersand substantially unable to allow free access to desired information.The drawback of TV is compensated for by the video recorder which has apoor quality in expressing text and is limited in portability and quickservice. Thanks to the recent development of the electronic technique,practices are being started of electronic books which use variouselectronic recording media and liquid crystal displays in place of thebooks of the prior art having paper media. This trend is described onpages 105 to 110 of Nikkei Electronics (1-17, No. 599 issued byKabushiki Gaisha Nikkei BP in 1994), for example. In Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 181803/1993, on the other hand, moreover, there isdisclosed an electronic publishing system which uses an optical disk asthe memory medium to record the electronic information containinggraphic information and to reproduce the recorded information.

However, those prior arts have taken no consideration into the point ofreproducing and displaying the electronic information, in which the modeof displaying the graphic information with respect to the textinformation is freely switched between the static image display and themotion image display. Neither considered is a system for distributingsuch electronic information.

We have investigated the portability of a terminal for reproducing thedistributed electronic information, the quick serviceability of thedistribution of the electronic information, and the simultaneousaccesses to the static image and the motion image. After theseinvestigations, we have found that it is desirable for improving theconvenience and performance of the information display to display thestatic image together with the text thereby to switch the static imagefreely to the motion image. Of these, it is advantageous for reducingthe size and improving the reliability of the operation to exemplify theelectronic information storing media by a memory card which is removablyattached while having no substantial mechanical action. For spreadingsuch a reproducing/displaying terminal, moreover, we have found that itis necessary to develop the device or system for distributing theelectronic information and to consider the acceleration of the processin view of the characteristics of the service for distributing theelectronic information.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronicinformation distributing terminal capable of efficiently conducting theservice of distributing the electronic information including textinformation and its corresponding motion image information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicinformation distributing terminal capable of improving the reliabilityof the distribution service with an electrically rewritable nonvolatilesemiconductor memory card for distributing the electronic information.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide adistributed electronic information reproducing system capable ofdisplaying the file information and the motion image information clearlyand displaying more information if necessary.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a memory card asan individual storage device optimized for distributing the electronicinformation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, an electronic information distributingterminal (2A) for writing electronic information including textinformation and its corresponding motion image information into a memorycard (1) equipped with an electrically rewritable nonvolatilesemiconductor memory to distribute the information, comprises a cardstock (225) of a plurality of memory cards that hold the informationdistributed through a communication interface (200), wherein theelectronic information is distributed by discharging the memory cardeven in response to a demand for distributing only the electronicinformation, and wherein the memory card inserted with the demand isutilized as a new card stock (225).

Since the memory card can be repeatedly utilized but is more expensivethan the video tape, the electronic information distributing terminalother than those used personally or at home has to be considered tosupport the two electronic information distribution modes, i.e., todistribute the electronic information exclusively and to distribute theelectronic information by vending the memory card, too. At this time, itthe electronic information distributing terminal having the card stockstored in advance with the electronic information is adopted, thedischarge of the memory card of the card stock even in the case, inwhich the purchaser has inserted his memory card to demand thedistribution of only the electronic information, makes it unnecessary toallow each inserted memory card to store the electronic informationthereby to accelerate the service of the information distribution. Sincethe inserted memory card is then utilized as a new card stock, the cardstock is not reduced unless a memory card is newly purchased, so thatthe card stock need not be frequently supplied. Since the electronicinformation to be stored in the memory card is received through thecommunication interface, the distribution of the information having acontent of quickness such as newspaper information can be covered torequire no work for updating the information to be distributed.

Information can be rewritten only a limited number of times in thenonvolatile semiconductor memory. In order to retain the reliability ofthe information distribution, the memory card has an area (MEM1) forrecording the information indicating the maximum number of rewriteoperations, and an area (MEM2) for recording the actual number ofrewrite operations, wherein when the actual number reaches apredetermined value, the memory card ends its service as a new cardstock (225) so that the electronic information is rewritten by updatingthe actual number of rewrite operations till it reaches thepredetermined value.

The electronic information distributing terminal can be realized like anautomatic vendor by providing an operation unit (205, 226, 2266) forselecting the kind of the electronic information demanding thedistribution; and accounting means (206, 229) for collecting the chargefor the distributing of the electronic information.

According to another aspect, an electronic information distributingterminal for writing electronic information including text informationand its corresponding motion image information into a memory card (1)equipped with an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductormemory to distribute the information, comprises a communicationinterface (200); a data buffer (411, 221) for temporarily storing theelectronic information fed from the communication interface; a memorycard interface (410, 230) to which is removably attached a memory cardequipped with an electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductormemory for allowing the memory card to separately store the textinformation and the corresponding motion image information from the databuffer; an operation unit (413, 232) for selecting the electronicinformation to be stored in the memory card from the data buffer; andaccounting means (206, 229) for collecting the charge for the electronicinformation selected in the operation unit. In this electronicinformation distributing terminal, it suffices both the improvement inthe information distribution service and the propriety for the charge tohave the data buffer for temporarily storing a plurality of electronicinformation fed from the communication interface and to charge the costfor the distribution of desired information when this information isselected from the electronic information stored in the data buffer.

A distributed electronic information reproducing system (4), comprisingdisplay control means (402) that removably receives a memory card havingan electrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, displays astatic image on a display unit (403) using a portion of the textinformation and the corresponding motion image information read from thememory card, and reproduces a motion image from the static image on thebasis of an instruction from an operation unit (405, 413). Thus, theinformation can be displayed clearly and more information can bedisplayed the, if necessary, by displaying static image from the textinformation and a corresponding portion of the motion image informationand if necessary, a motion image from the static image.

The distributed electronic information reproducing system (4) is enabledto receive the distribution of information directly by furthercomprising: a communication interface (200); a data buffer (411) fortemporarily storing the electronic information including textinformation and the corresponding motion image information receivedthrough the communication interface; and a memory card interface (410)for allowing the memory card to separately store the text informationand the corresponding motion image information in the electronicinformation transferred from said data buffer, whereby it can receivethe distribution of information directly.

In electronic information storing mode on a memory card for facilitatingaccesses to motion image information and text information correspondingto each other, either of the motion image information or the textinformation separated from each other is stored starting with the firstaddress of a predetermined storage area (MEM6), whereas the other isstored starting with the last address of the predetermines storage area(MEM6).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the entirety of thesystem for distributing the electronic information;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one example of the distribution sourceor publishing source of the electronic information;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one example of the load terminalexemplifying the dedicated write terminal or home write terminal;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram presenting a transmission format of thecomposition controlled electronic information at (A) and a storageformat of the electronic information of the memory card at (B);

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one example of the portable displayterminal;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of one example of the display controlmode of the text information and the motion image information in theportable display terminal;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another display control mode of thetext information and the motion image information in the portabledisplay terminal;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of one example of the portable display terminalwhich is additionally given the function of the home write terminal;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing another example of the processingprocedure mainly of the billing step when the distribution of theelectronic information is received;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view showing one embodiment of the exteriorconstruction of the portable display terminal described with referenceto FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing one example of the exteriorconstruction of the operation panel to be connected to the portabledisplay terminal of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the display mode in which the textdisplay area and the static/motion-image display area of the displayunit of FIG. 10 are selectively enlarged fully to the display screen;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view showing another example of the exteriorconstruction of the portable display terminal;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of one example of the system allowing a widevariety of users to write the memory card used in the portableinformation terminal with the desired electronic information;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of the memory cardusing mode in case the electronic information for the portable displayterminal is provided by the prepaid method;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of one example of the load terminal which canbe concentratedly utilized by many persons and can rewrite many memorycards in a short time period;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of one example of the user's operationpanel contained in the user interface and belonging to the writeterminal of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an initialization preparing procedurefor stocking the written memory cards in the card stock of the writeterminal of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the procedure for providing the user whohas purchased a new memory card with the information in the writeterminal of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure for providing the userowning the memory card in the write terminal of FIG. 16 with theinformation and the procedure for reusing the inserted memory card ownedby the user;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing another example of the writeterminal;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of one example of the system for realizingthe service to load the memory card with the information which issignificant in a local area; and

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel which ismounted in the user interface of the write terminal of FIG. 22.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the entirety of a systemfor distributing electronic information. This electronic information isdigital information (such as a kind of multimedia information) includingtext information and motion image information (as will be shortlyreferred to as image information) corresponding to the former. Fordistributing the electronic information in this system, there isutilized as the storage medium a memory card 1 which is equipped with anelectrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The memorycard makes use of a nonvolatile memory such as an EPROM, an EEPROM or aflash memory. In case the system, as shown in FIG. 1, is used to realizean application to be called a kind of motion image electronic newspaper,an electronic information distributing source (or circulating source) 5is provided with a data base for newspapers and a data base for TV tocreate the digital information including the motion image informationand the text information from the latest information. For example, thetext information is the character code information of the newspaper, andthe motion image information is the TV motion image informationcorresponding to that newspaper. The TV data base usually exploits theimage data stored in a VTR. Such electronic information (as will beshortly referred to as electronic newspaper information) for theelectronic newspaper can be created for several newspapers of individualnewspaper publishing companies.

The aforementioned electronic information is transmitted to thedistribution terminal through a telephone line, an ISDN line or aPC-LAN, or wirelessly. In FIG. 1, the electronic informationdistribution terminal is representatively exemplified by a dedicatedwrite terminal 2A and a home write terminal 2B. The electronicinformation distributing terminal (write terminal) such as the dedicatedwrite terminal 2A or the home write terminal 2B stores the electronicinformation in the memory card 1 for distribution. In either theterminal 2A or 2B, the electronic information, as transmitted thereto,is stored in the memory card 1 acting as the solid-state storage medium.The dedicated write terminal 2A can be realized to distribute theelectronic information like the automatic vendor, and the home writeterminal 2B can also be realized in a form incorporated in a home orpersonal system such as a telephone, a facsimile, the receiver of acable TV or a personal computer. According to the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the electronic information stored in the memory card isreproduced by a portable display terminal 4. This portable displayterminal 4 has the function of receiving the information through thehome write terminal 2B and storing the received information in thememory card 1. In other words, the home write terminal 2B and theportable display terminal 4 may be integrated with each other. Theportable display terminal 4 is equipped with a display so that the textinformation and the corresponding static and motion image informationare given to the user. In this specification, the motion imageinformation is grasped as a concept containing voice data, if necessary.

FIG. 2 shows one example of the electronic information distributingsource 5. In FIG. 2, a text file 50 to be used for making a newspaper isused as it is as the file information. The text information, as storedin the text file 50, is composed of a set of character codes. The datatype may be of text or any other. The motion image information may be agraphic file 53 compressed by an encoder (or compressor) 52 from therecorded data of a VTR 51 that stores the information corresponding tothe news item and broadcasted in the TV. The information, as stored inthe text file 50 and graphic file 53, is transmitted after it iscomposed by a composition control unit 54 into a predetermined typematching either the transmission protocol or the information processingtype of the write terminal. The contents of the composition control areto pair the corresponding text information and motion image information,to assign the motion image information to the text information, and toindex and synthesize the information so as to facilitate the display atthe portable display terminal equipment.

FIG. 3 shows a write terminal 2 as an example of the dedicated writeterminal 2A or the home write terminal 2B. The write terminal 2, asshown in FIG. 3, is equipped with a communication interface 200 whichcan be connected with the electronic information distributing source 5by making use of a predetermined transmission line. The communicationinterface 200 is equipped with a receiving buffer 201. This receivingbuffer 201 temporarily stores the information inputted through thecommunication interface 200, so as to absorb the difference in the dataprocessing rate between the inside and outside of the write terminal 2.The electronic information thus stored in the receiving buffer 201 isseparated by a separator 202 into the text information and the motionimage information. The text information is expressed as a text file TFwhereas the motion image information is expressed as a graphic file GF.The text file TF and the graphic file GF are stored in the memory card 1through a memory card interface 203. This memory card interface 203removably receives the memory card 1 holding the aforementioned textfile TF and graphic file GF separately of each other. Numeral 204designates a control circuit for controlling the entirety; numeral 205designates an operation unit arranged with various operation buttons;and numeral 206 designates an accounting unit for charging the farerequired for distributing the electronic information. In case the writeterminal 2 is the dedicated load terminal 2A like the automatic vendor,the accounting unit 206 collects the fare or changes the balance of theprepaid card. In case the write terminal 2 is the home write terminal2B, the accounting unit 206 returns the use content such as theidentification information or accounting information of the user to theelectronic information distributing source 5 through the communicationinterface 200.

FIG. 4(A) shows the transmission format of the electronic informationhaving its composition controlled, and FIG. 4(B) shows the storageformat of the electronic information in the memory card. In thisexample, one transmission format is composed of a header 540, a textfile TF, an identifier 542, a graphic file GF, an identifier 544 and afooter 545. Of these, the header 540, the identifiers 542 and 544 andthe footer 545 are given fixed lengths. The header 540 has the startflag, the data word count of the text file, the data word count of thegraphic file, and the index data of the graphic file GF and text fileTF. The identifier 542 is a code data indicating the last of one textfile TF, and the identifier 544 is the code data indicating the last ofone graphic file GF. The footer 545 has an end flag indicating thepresence or absence of the succeeding information transmission. When aplurality of pairs of text file TF and graphic file GF are contained ina series of information, for example, the end flag in the transmissionformat of the last pair is enabled. One transmission format is storedwith the text file TF and the graphic file GF corresponding to eachother. The data of the text file TF and the graphic file GF aretransferred in synchronism with the transfer clock by using 32 bytes,for example, as one packet. According to this example, there areassigned to the identifiers 542 and 544 the codes which are inhibitedfrom being used in one packet of a text file TF and a graphic file GF.This transmission format is generated in the composition control unit 54of FIG. 2.

In the example of FIG. 4, the memory card 1 is different from the filememory which is compatible with the magnetic storage unit, and storesthe text file in locations starting with the first addresses of apredetermined data storage area and the graphic file GF in locationsstarting with the last addresses of the predetermined data storage area.In short, the motion image information and the text information are heldin a physically isolated manner in the predetermined data storage areaof the memory card 1. According to the example, as shown at (B) in FIG.4, to the last one of data units 100 for storing text files TF1 to TF4and graphic files GF1 to GF4, there are coupled data identificationunits 101, and the end flags of the identifier and the footer 545contained in the transmission format are stored in the dataidentification units 101 of the text files TF. The data identificationunits 101 of the graphic files GF include the identifier 544 and thefooter 545 as an end flag, which are contained in the transmissionformat.

Electronic information of the text file TF received is stored inlocations starting with the first address of the predetermined datastorage areas in the memory card 1 and the graphic file GF in locationsstarting with the last address of the predetermined data storage areasin the memory card 1. The last data identification units 101 of theindividual files TF and GF are stored with the end flags of theidentifiers 542 and 544 and the footer 545. The text file and graphicfile having their end flags enabled are the last text file and graphicfile transmitted. For reading out the electronic information, the textfiles TF1 to TF4 are sequentially read from the first address of thepredetermined data storage areas. These individual text files TF1 to TF4are discriminated with the identifier of the data identification unit101. These reading operations are continued till the enabled end flag isdetected from the data identification unit 101. When the enabled endflag is detected in the text file reading operations, then the graphicfiles GF1 to GF4 are sequentially read from the last address of thepredetermined data storage areas, and these reading operations arerepeated till the enabled end flag is detected from the dataidentification unit 101. The individual graphic files are discriminatedwith the identifier of the data identification unit 101.

Incidentally, the memory card 1 can be exemplified by a file memorycompatible with a magnetic storage unit, and the nonvolatile memory hasto be equipped with a sector administration table for storing the textinformation and the motion image information at the sector unit and forholding the correspondence between the sector number and the memoryaddress. In this case, the correspondence between the graphic file andthe text file has to be made in terms of the file name (or file number).The transmission format at this time need not always be one fortransmitting the text file and the graphic file in pairs, as shown inFIG. 4. For this transmission, the data size or data word count and thefile name of a file and the file name have to be contained in theheader.

FIG. 5 shows one example of the portable display terminal 4. Thisportable display terminal 4 is equipped with a card interface 400 towhich is removably attached the memory card 1. The card interface 400reads out the text file TF and the graphic file GF from the memory card1 holding those text and graphic fifes separately, as described withreference to FIG. 4. The graphic file GF, if compressed, is expanded byan expander 401. The motion image information expanded and the textinformation read out through the card interface 400 are fed to a displaycontrol unit 402 so that the corresponding motion image and textinformation are displayed in a display unit 403. Numeral 404 designatesa control circuit for controlling the entirety, and numeral 405designates an operation unit arranged with various operation buttons.The information to be displayed in the display unit 403 can be outputtedthrough an output terminal to an external recorder 406 such as a VTR.

FIG. 6 shows one example of the display control modes of the textinformation and the motion image information in the portable displayterminal. The display control unit 402 causes the text information andthe corresponding portion of the motion image information read from thememory card 1 to be displayed as a static image in the display unit 403,so that the static image is reproduced as a motion image on the basis ofthe instruction coming from the operation unit 405. In FIG. 6, forexample, a static image SP1 and a motion image DP1 are obtained from themotion image information pairing the text information (as will beshortly referred to as the “text”) TC1, and a static image SP2 and amotion image DP2 are obtained from the motion image information pairingthe text TC2. Simultaneously with the display of the text 1, the staticimage SP1 is displayed in the display unit 403. When the motion imagedisplay is then selected in the operation unit 405, the static image SP1is changed into the motion image DP1 without any change in the text TC1,and the display state of the static image SP1 is restored at the end ofa series of motion image displays. When the screen display is thenselectively switched to a next news item by the operation unit 405, thestatic image SP2 as to the text TC2 is displayed, and the static imageSP2 is also switched to the motion image DP2 while awaiting theinstruction from the operation unit 405 and is returned to the staticimage SP2 at the end of the motion image display.

FIG. 7 shows another display control mode of the text information andthe motion image information in the portable terminal. In the case ofFIG. 7, when a motion image display is instructed by the operation unit405 with the text TC1 and the static image SP1 being displayed together,the mode comes into the motion image display mode simultaneously as thestatic image SP1 is enlarged fully to the display screen. At the end ofa series of motion images, the image display area is reduced to restorethe parallel display state of the text TC1 and the static image SP1.When the screen display is then selectively switched to a next news itemby the operation unit 405, the text TC2 and the static image SP2 aredisplayed together, and the enlargement of the image display area andthe switching to the motion image DP2 are effected awaiting theinstruction from the operation unit 405 like the above operation. At theend of the motion image display, the static image SP2 is restored.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one example of the portable displayterminal functioning also as the home load terminal. The portabledisplay terminal, as shown in FIG. 8, includes the circuit blocks ofFIGS. 3 and 5. The memory card interface 410, as shown in FIG. 8,includes a data buffer 411 and serves as the memory card interface 203of FIG. 3 and the memory card interface 400 of FIG. 5. This data buffer411 is used to temporarily store a plurality of kinds of electronicinformation before the memory card 1 is written in case the electronicinformation is downloaded through the communication interface 200. Acontrol circuit 412 functions as the control circuit 204 of FIG. 3 andthe control circuit 404 of FIG. 5. An operation unit 413 functions asthe operation unit 205 of FIG. 3 and the operation unit 405 of FIG. 5.The information, transmitted through the transmission line, is receivedby the communication interface 200 and stored in the receiving buffer201. The information thus stored in the receiving buffer 201 isseparated by the separator 202 into the graphic file GF and the textfile TF. The files TF and GF thus separated are once stored in the databuffer 411 and then written in the memory card 1.

The electronic information to be written in the memory card 1 isselected by the operation unit 413. The information selection by theoperation unit 413 can be positioned either as the selection of theinformation to be downloaded or as the selection of the information tobe written in the memory card 1. In the former, the control circuit 412downloads the electronic information of the kind specified by theoperation unit 413 through the communication interface 200. In thelatter, the control circuit 412 automatically downloads the electronicinformation of the individual newspaper publishing companies, which areto be serviced by the supply source, through the communication interfaceduring the night in which the message rate may be lower. Theseelectronic newspaper information is separated into the text file TF andthe graphic file GF and stored in the data buffer 411. These operationscan be executed every time the morning and evening editions are issued.When the user selects a desired newspaper by the operation unit 413, thecorresponding electronic newspaper information is written in the memorycard 1 through the card interface 410. In the latter type, theindividual bills for the electronic newspaper information are issued bythe accounting unit 206 when the memory card 1 has stored informationfrom the data buffer 411. Since the portable display terminal of thepresent embodiment is utilized personally or at home, the billing by theaccounting unit 206 is carried out online by the electronic newspaperpublisher through the communication interface 200. In case the userreceives the distribution of the electronic newspaper, for example, hecan input the user identification code and the password from theoperation unit 413 to purchase the electronic newspaper information ifhe is identified as the registered user. Then, the purchasing cost andits detail are returned to the electronic newspaper publisher throughthe communication interface 200.

One example of the operations for purchasing the electronic newspaperwill be described in more detail. In case the distribution of theelectronic newspaper information is to be received, the necessaryinformation codes including the user identification code and thepassword, as registered in advance, are inputted from the operation unit413. The information thus inputted from the operation unit 413 istransmitted by the control circuit 412 to the transmission line throughthe communication interface 200. The information thus transmittedthrough the transmission line is received-by the host system (not-shown)of the distribution source of the information. This host systemdiscriminates the information to be transmitted from the receivedinformation and sends the discriminated information through thetransmission line. The information thus sent is received by thecommunication interface 200. The user acknowledges the information byreplying to the host system through the communication interface 200 fromthe operation unit 413. If the wrong newspaper information is received,a resend is demanded to repeat the operations till the right informationis received. The received newspaper information is stored in the memorycard 1 when the operation unit 413 is given the fact that the desiredinformation has been received. The information thus received through thetransmission line is billed by confirming that it has been written inthe memory card 1 so that the user may not be billed if the host systemtransmits unwanted electronic newspaper information.

The display of the electronic newspaper information in the memory card 1can be similar to the case of the portable display terminal of FIG. 5.The electronic information to be received by the system of FIG. 8 is notlimited to the electronic newspaper information.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the processing routine, especiallyincluding billing steps for the distributed electronic information. Uponpurchasing the electronic information, the user inputs the registerednumber such as the user identification code and the password (at StepT1) and the kind of the purchased information from the operation unit(at Step T2). If the input information is not approved at Step T3, theroutine can be returned to Step T1 by selecting the continuation of theprocess. If it is approved at Step T3, the selected information can beread (at Step T4). After this, the instruction to store the readinformation in the memory card is selected at Step T5 so that theelectronic information is stored in the memory card (at Step T6), andthe distribution of the electronic information is charged (at Step T7).

FIG. 10 shows the exterior construction of the portable display terminal4 described with reference to FIG. 8. Although not especially shown, theportable display terminal 4 of FIG. 5 has a basic exterior constructionsimilar to that of FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the portable display terminal 4has the display area of the display unit 403 in the front screen of itscasing 210. The display area is used to display the text display areaand the static and motion images. The casing 210 is arranged along itsedge portion with the operation unit 413 composed of the operationbuttons for switching the information of the text display area and themotion/static images, and at its side portions with an interfaceconnector 211 for the communication interface 200 to be connected withthe information transmission line and an operation panel connector 212to which is selectively connected an external operation panel forinputting the character code information such as the user identificationcode or the password.

FIG. 11 shows an exterior of the operation panel to be connected to theportable display terminal of FIG. 10. As shown, the operation panelcomprises an input keyboard 2120 for inputting the personalidentification code; an operation content display area 2121 fordisplaying the information inputted; and a portable terminal connector2122 to be connected to the portable display terminal. In case theportable display terminal of FIG. 10 is to be used as the home writeterminal, the user has to input the necessary information code and thepre-registered personal identification code. Through the input keyboard2120, the electronic information selecting code and the personalidentification code are inputted with a plurality of figures. Theinputted digits are displayed in the operation content display area2121. If the displayed content is correct, a key “E” is depressed toconfirm the input data. After necessary codes or the like have beeninputted, a key “T” is depressed to transmit the codes through thecommunication interface 200 by the control circuit 412 of the portabledisplay terminal 4. Meanwhile, the information, as transmitted from thehost system of the distribution source, is received by the portabledisplay terminal 4. The codes for discriminating the receivedinformation are displayed in the operation content display area 2121. Ifthe same information as demanded is transmitted, the predeterminedelectronic information is not stored in the data buffer 411 of theportable display terminal 4 or the memory card 1 before the userdepresses a key “S”.

FIG. 12 shows one example in which the text display area and thestatic/motion image display area in the display unit 403 of FIG. 10 areselectively enlarged fully to the display screen. Usually, the area fordisplaying the images is made smaller than the text display area.Depending upon the kind of information, however, there may be consideredthe case in which it is demanded to display the image in a large scale.In this case, the user is allowed to select the display type freely bythe operation unit 413 of the portable display terminal.

FIG. 13 shows another exterior construction of the portable displayterminal. The example of FIG. 13 is equipped with the display unit 403in which are physically separated the text display area and the displayarea for displaying the static image and the motion image. The formerdisplay area is disposed in the cover 210A of the casing whereas thelatter is disposed in the casing body 210B. This terminal is differentfrom that of FIG. 10 in that the operation unit 413 having the operationpanel for inputting the code information is integrated with the body210B while eliminating the operation panel connector 212. As a result,it is possible not only to realize a better portable display terminalbut also to display a larger image without enlarging the image byswitching the text display area and the image display area. Moreover,the display area for the static image can be dedicated whereas themotion image can be selectively displayed in the text display areathereby to realize a more impressive image display.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the system construction which allows theuser to write desired information into the memory card used in theportable information terminal 4. The numerous write terminals 2 areconnected through the communication lines (e.g., the ISDN lines, theCATV cables or the wireless lines) with the information distributionsources 5 including the newspaper publishing companies, the magazinepublishing companies, the broadcasting stations and the self-governingcommunities so that data to be written in memory cards are sent to theindividual write terminal 2 in accordance with the distribution sourceselection and the information demand signal from the write terminal 2.Alternatively as to the mass media information of the newspapers ormagazines, the same data may be simultaneously sent to the numerouswrite terminals 2 at a predetermined time. The write terminals 2 may beconstructed to be suitably installed at the lobbies of stations, hallsor hotels or at schools for the concentrated utilizations of manypeople, to be suitably installed at convenience stores, private concernsor gas stations for the suitable utilizations of many people, and to beinstalled at home or in the guest rooms of hotels for personalutilizations. The former two installations can be positioned as theaforementioned dedicated load terminal 2A whereas the latter can bepositioned as the aforementioned home write terminal 2B.

FIG. 15 shows one example of the mode of using the memory card 1 in casethe electronic information for the portable display terminal 4 isprovided by the prepaid system. The memory card has six data storageareas: a first area MEM1 to a sixth area MEM6. The individual areas havetheir memory addresses fixed such that the storage capacities of thefirst area MEM1 to the fifth area MEM5 are no more than one tenth ofthat of the sixth area MEM6. Either the sixth area MEM6 or the fiftharea MEM5 and the sixth area MEM6 may be constructed of a nonvolatilememory of a kind different from that of the remaining areas. Relativelyspeaking, the fifth and sixth areas MEM5 and MEM6 are required to beinexpensive and large in capacity whereas the first area MEM1 to thefourth area MEM4 need higher speed and complete nonvolatility.

The first area MEM1 can be rewritable only by the memory cardmanufacturer and it contains specification data such as the storagecapacity of the memory card. If this first area MEM1 stores theguaranteed number of rewrite operations, the system can be operatedaccordingly. The second area MEM2 can be erased, written and read onlyby the write terminal which is administered by the information vendor,and it may contain data such as the password number and the availablenumber of write operations set by the information vendor. The passwordnumber is utilized to inhibit the user to write and erase the third areaMEM3. This third area MEM3 can be erased and written only by the writeterminal which is administered by the information vendor, while the usercan only read, and it contains such information as the available numberof rewrite operations, the information name designation, the kind andnumber of the write terminals, and the time of information writing. Thefourth area MEM4 can be erased and written by the user, and it containsthe data such as the password of the user. The fifth area MEM5 containsthe index data (e.g., the provided information name and the data amount)of the provided information. The sixth area MEM6 contains the providedinformation such as text information and motion image information(including voice information) separately. This sixth storage areaconstitutes a predetermined data storage area, as shown in FIG. 4(B).Incidentally, depending upon the transmission format of the electronicinformation and the kind of the data, the fifth area can contain thekind and mode of data, i.e., whether compressed/uncompressed, the kindof the text/image/motion-image/voice, and the leading address of thedata of each kind.

FIG. 16 shows a write terminal 2A which can be utilized by many personsin a short period of time to write a number of memory cards. The writeterminal 2A, as shown in FIG. 16, is an electronic informationdistributing terminal for writing the electronic information includingthe text information and the corresponding motion image information intothe memory card 1, which has an electrically rewritable nonvolatilesemiconductor memory, and for distributing the electronic information.This terminal is equipped with the communication interface forinterfacing the communication line, and a package media interface 220for taking the data from a package medium such as an optical disk. Thecommunication interface 200 has the receiving buffer 201. The electronicinformation, fed from the communication interface 200 or the packagemedia interface 220, is temporarily stored in a data buffer 221. Thisdata buffer 221 is constructed of a semiconductor memory of largecapacity or a magnetic storage device. A data compressor 222 is coupledto the data buffer 221 so that uncompressed electronic information(e.g., the information taken by a digital camera) fed from the packagemedia interface 220 can be compressed and stored in the buffer memory221. The electronic information thus stored in the data buffer 221 isdivided by the separator 202 into the text information and the motionimage information. The text information is formatted into a text filewhereas the motion image information is formatted into a graphic file sothat they are stored in the memory card 1 through a memory cardinterface 223. The memory card interface 223 can simultaneously accept aplurality of memory cards 1 so that it can read, erase and write thedata in parallel. The write terminal 2A of the present embodiment candistribute the electronic information like the automatic vendor to vendonly the electronic information when stored in the memory card 1, andthe memory card 1 together with the electronic information. A cardmachine 224 for receiving memory cards 1 and ejecting written cards hasa card stock 225. The terminal is further equipped with a user interface226 including a user operation panel for the user to purchase theelectronic information, and an administrator interface 227 including anadministrator operation panel for the administrator to administrate thewrite terminal. The use interface 226 and the administrator interface227 constitute an operation unit together. An accounting processor 229for collecting the charge for distributing the electronic informationand processes the collection of money or the change in the balance inprepaid cards. A control circuit 228 controls the entirety of the writeterminal 2A in accordance with the preset programs. Incidentally, thedata compressor 222 can be dispensed with in case the electronicinformation to be fed from the electronic information source to thecommunication interface 200 and the package media interface 220 arelimited to the compressed data.

FIG. 17 shows one example of the user's operation panel included in theuser interface 226. This write terminal 2A is of the type, in which itis concentratedly utilized by many persons, and the user's operationpanel is arranged in front of the write terminal. This user's operationpanel includes a card slot 2260; a card return 2261; a fare indicator2262; a fare insert and change return slot 2263; a message unitindicator 2264 for indicating the balance in the prepaid memory cards;an indicator 2265 for indicating the name of available information andthe number of message units required for the sales; a button 2266 forselecting the name of information to be purchased; a button 2267 forinstructing to purchase a new memory card; a button 2268 for designatingwhether the name of information to be purchased is left as the previousone or changed (that is, the previous name is retained with nodesignation to select the continuation); and a demonstration screen 2269for demonstrating the distribution time of the information, the editionand a portion of the content of the information. The administrator'soperation panel of the write terminal 2A has its surface covered with akeyed cover 2270, in which are arranged buttons or a keyboard and adisplay for the administrator to perform the various operations andsettings, the insert/receive slots for the packaged media'and the memorycard insert/receive slots. These memory card insert/receive slots of theadministrator's operation panel are provided for inserting the memorycard to be initially stocked or for receiving the expired memory card.These card insert/receive slots can also be used as the user's memorycard insert/receive slots. On the other hand, the administrator'soperation panel may be arranged at the back of the user's operationpanel.

In the write terminal 2A described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17,the electronic information, supplied from the information distributorthrough the communication line or the package media, is stored in thedata buffer 221 or in a plurality of memory cards so that they arestored in the card stock 225. Specifically, electronic information iswritten in a plurality of memory cards 1 in parallel, and a plurality ofmemory cards holding the supplied information of the individual namesare stored as the card stock 225. For either a demand for distributingonly the electronic information or a demand for distributing theelectronic information accompanied by a new purchasing of the memorycard 1, moreover, the electronic information is distributed bydischarging the memory card 1 of the card stock 225. In the demand fordistributing only the electronic information, the user inserts hismemory card 1, which is added to the card stock 225 so that it is laterused for vending the information. As a result, the desired informationcan be promptly provided without any time period for loading theindividual memory cards with the electronic information. Moreover, theaforementioned memory card 1 has the area (MEM1) for recording theinformation indicating the limit of rewriting the electronic informationfor the memory card and the area (MEM2) for recording the actual numberof rewrite operations. If the actual number exceeds a given limit, thecard is removed from the card stock; otherwise it may be used to rewritenew information until the given number is reached. As a result, theexpired memory card can be recovered and exchanged without botheringusers so that the undesired expiration of the memory card 1 can beprevented to improve the reliability of the sales of the electronicinformation. FIGS. 18 to 20 show examples of the electronic informationdistributing procedure for achieving such effects and the procedure ofloading the memory card 1 with the information.

FIG. 18 shows an initial preparation procedure for storing the loadedmemory cards in the card stock 225. First of all, by the administrator'soperation of the write terminal 2A or according to the programs set inthe write terminal 2A, the information data, as provided by theinformation distributor, are stored in the data buffer 221 of the writeterminal 2A through the communication line or the package media (at StepS1). The electronic information and their index data are stored in thedata buffer.

For the initial stocking of the card stock 225, a plurality of memorycards 1 are inserted into the card machine system 224 of the writeterminal 2A (at Step S2). The memory cards 1, as used herein, aredivided into the first area MEM1 to the sixth area MEM5, as describedwith reference to FIG. 15. The first area MEM1 stores the guaranteednumber of rewrite operations MO, and the second area stores the actualnumber of rewrite operations M.

For the initial stock memory card 1 inserted, the data are read out fromthe first area MEM1 and the second area MEM2. The memory card 1 isexcluded as an expired one from an object to be stocked in the memorycard stock 225 (at Step S3) if MO−M≦A for the guaranteed number MO ofthe first area MEM1, the actual number M of the second area MEM2 and apreset value A (e.g., a constant at 100 such as a safety factorarbitrarily set for assuring the reload), or if B−M≦A for the limit Bset by considering the lifetime of the memory card exchange.

For the memory card other than the expired one, the data of the secondarea MEM2 are deleted (at Step S4), and the password No. of the salesadministrator set in the write terminal 2A and the card actual number ofrewrite operations is updated to M+1 and written (at Step S5). Thus, aplurality of memory cards to be actually utilized are stocked in thememory stock 225.

Next, the data of the third area MEM3 to the sixth area MEM6 of eachmemory card are deleted (at Step S6), and information is stored in thefifth and sixth areas MEM5 and MEM6 (at Step S7). The erasure andwriting at Steps S6 and S7 are executed in parallel for a plurality of(e.g., 10 to 50) memory cards 1 in accordance with the abilities of thecard machine system 224 and the memory card interface 223. The selectionof the information name (at Step S8) at this time can be individuallyexecuted either automatically according to the programs of the controlcircuit 228 or by the administrator using the administrator's operationpanel. Thus, a number of memory cards 1 holding the provided informationdata are obtained in the card stock 225. The numbers in the card stock225 for the Individual information can be individually determined to 50for the information A, 20 for the information B and 10 for theinformation C either by the administrator's operation of the loadterminal or according to the programs set in the write terminal 2A.

FIG. 19 shows a procedure for providing a new memory card purchasinguser with the information. In case (at Step S9) the new button 2267 isdepressed by the user's operation to insert a new fare, one memory card1 is selected (at Step S11) from the memory card stock 225 of eachinformation name in accordance with the selected information name (atStep S10). The selected memory card 1 has its third area MEM3 (at StepS12) with the data such as the available number of rewrite operationsNO-U, an information name specifying information or the time and isgiven to the user. The NO indicates the available number of rewriteoperations corresponding to the selling price of the memory card, andthe U indicates the number of rewrite operations depending on the priceof the designated information (i.e., for the desired information).

FIG. 20 shows the procedures of providing the memory card owner with theinformation and reusing the inserted memory card 1. The data, in thefirst area MEM1 to the fourth area MEM4 of the user's memory card 1inserted into the write terminal 2A, are read out (at Step S13). Onememory card 1 is selected (at Step S14) from the memory card stock 225for each information name in accordance with the information namedesignating information stored in the third area MEM3, if the actualnumber of rewrite operations Ni stored in the third area MEM3 is no lessthan the desired number of rewrite operations U. If the available numberNi is smaller than the desired number U, a demand for an additional fareis displayed (at Step S15). If the insertion of the additional fare isconfirmed (at Step S16), one memory card 1 is also selected (at StepS14) from the memory card stock 225 of each information name inaccordance with the information name designating information of thethird area MEM3. The memory card 1 selected at S14 has its third areaMEM3 holding the available number of rewrite operations Ni-U. If thefare is additionally inserted, the available number of rewriteoperations Ni+add-U is recorded while considering a frequencycorresponding to the additionally inserted fare. Moreover, the thirdstorage area MEM3 of the memory card 1 holds the data such as theinformation name designating information or the time. The data read outfrom the fourth area MEM4 of the inserted user's memory card 1 aretransferred (at Step S17) to the fourth area MEM4 of the memory card 1.The user is provided with the resultant memory card. These procedureshelp to provide users with their desired information in a very shorttime because it is not written each time a user inserts a card.

For the user to reuse the inserted memory card, the controls are made bythe following procedure. The user's memory card, as inserted into theload terminal 2A, is excluded as the expired one from the object for thereuse (at Step S18) either if it is decided that MO−M≦A on the basis ofthe guaranteed number of rewrite operations MO read out from the firstarea MEM1 of the memory card, and the actual number of rewriteoperations M read out from the second area MEM2 of the same, and thepreset value A (e.g., 100) or if it is decided that B−M≦A for the limitB set independently of the MO. For the unexpired memory card 1, thesecond area MEM2 is erased (at Step S19), and the password number of thesales administrator, as set in the write terminal 2A, and the actualnumber of rewrite operations is updated to M+1 and written (at StepS20). Thus, the memory cards 1 to be reused are stocked (at Step S21).

Next, the data of the third area MEM3 to the sixth area MEM6 of theindividual memory cards, as stocked to be reused, are deleted (at StepS22), and information is written in the fifth and sixth areas MEM5 andMEM6 (at Step 23). The kind of information to be written can beautomatically determined according to the sales results of the providedinformation. For example, in case the erasure and writing in Steps S22and S23 are executed in parallel for a plurality of, e.g., about tenmemory cards 1 in accordance with the abilities of the card machinesystem 224 and the memory card interface 223, the erasure and writing inSteps S22 and S23 can be effected when the sales result card number foreach information name reaches a parallel processing number. Theselection of the information name at this time can be executed eitherautomatically according to the program of the control circuit 228 orindividually by the administrator using the administrator's operationpanel. In short, the number of memory cards 1 to be simultaneouslyhandled to write the information name can be determined according to thedifference between the set stock number of each information name and thestock number at that time and in accordance with the program set in thewrite terminal 2A. Thus, the card stock 225 of the memory card 1 holdingthe provided information is grown.

Moreover, in case the information data from the information distributorare changed with the same information name, the data in the data buffer221 of the write terminal 2A are rewritten, and the stock 225 of thememory cards 1 holding the provided information data of the sameinformation name is repeatedly subjected to the procedure similar tothat of Steps S18 to S23 so that the user can always be provided withthe latest information data.

FIG. 21 shows another example of the write terminal. The write terminal2A-1, as shown in FIG. 21, is different from that of FIG. 16 in that theexternal interface for receiving the electronic information is limitedto the communication interface 200 and in that the card stock 225 of thememory cards is not provided so that the sales are made by loading thememory card, as inserted by the user, individually with the electronicinformation. The electronic information, stored in the data buffer 221,is separated by the separator 202 into a text information and a motionimage information. Of these, the text information is formatted into atext file whereas the motion image information is formatted into agraphic file, and it is stored in the memory card 1 through a memorycard interface 230. This memory card interface 230 receives the memorycard 1, and reads, erases and writes the data. The write terminal 2A-1of the present embodiment sells only the electronic information when thememory card 1 is inserted. A card machine 231 receives the memory card 1and gives out the card with written electronic information. The terminalis equipped with a user interface 232 including a user operation panelfor performing the operations for the user to purchase the electronicinformation, and an administrator interface 233 including anadministrator operation panel for the administrator to administer thewrite terminal. The user interface 232 and the administrator interface233 constitute the operation unit together. The control circuit 234administers the entirety of the write terminal 2A-1 in accordance with apreset program. This write terminal 2A-1 takes the provided informationdata from the information distributor through the communication line,stores it in the data buffer 211, and writes the information data of thedesignated name into the card to give the data to the user.Incidentally, the remaining construction is similar to that of FIG. 16,and the detailed description of the circuit blocks having the identicalfunctions will be omitted by designating them with the identicalreference numerals.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the system construction for realizing theservices to write information, which is significant in a local area (orlimited place), into memory cards. This limited place may be exemplifiedby a train, an airplane, a hall, a sports ground, a school or ahospital. A server 6 and a write terminal 2A-2 are connected through aLAN (i.e., Local Area Network) so that the information held by theserver 6 is usually sent in parallel to the individual terminals 2A-2.In this case, a small-sized inexpensive write terminal 2A-2 is placed oneach seat of the train, the airplane, the hall, the sports ground or theschool so that the user can write the memory card at his seat. However,what can be selected at a time by the user is restricted to ten kinds orthe like at most. The information to be provided may be a time table, atravel guide book, an instant motion picture of sports or the voice ofan encored song of a concert. In FIG. 22, the individual write terminals2A-2 are interfaced with the LAN line by a channel selector 240. Theelectronic information to be transmitted from the LAN line through thechannel selector 240 is temporarily stored in a receiving buffer 241,and the electronic information thus stored is separated by a separator242 into the graphic file and the text file and fed to a memory cardinterface 243. This memory card interface 243 writes the graphic fileand the text file separately in the memory card. The operation such asthe selection of the electronic information is given from a userinterface 244. A control unit 245 controls a channel selector 246, theseparator 242 and the memory card interface 243 in accordance with theinstruction coming from the user interface 244. In the system of FIG.22, the fare handling portion is eliminated from the write terminal 2A-2by installing a dedicated device 7 for adding the memory card sales andfrequency on the lobby or the like. Moreover, the write terminal 2A-2 isnot equipped with the data buffer because the provided information dataneed not be temporarily stored as a whole. In the case of the presentsystem, too, the information provided by the newspaper publishingcompanies can be written by providing the server with the communicationinterface and the high-capacity buffer memory.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the construction of the operation panel tobe mounted in the user interface of the write terminal 2A-2 of FIG. 22.The user's operation panel is arranged on the front face of the writeterminal. The user's operation panel comprises a memory card slot 2440;a message unit indicator 2441 for indicating the balance in the memorycard prepaid for a given number of units; an indicator 2442 of theinformation name to be sold and the number of message units required forthe sales; and buttons 2443 for selecting the name of information to bepurchased. Incidentally, there may be indicated the distribution time oredition of the information and the demonstration of a portion of theinformation content.

The following effects can be attained according to the foregoingindividual embodiments.

[1] According to the electronic information distributing terminal 2A ofFIG. 16 having the card stock 225 having the electronic informationstored in advance, even in case the purchaser inserts his memory card todemand the distribution of only the electronic information, theinformation distribution can be promptly serviced by discharging thememory cards 1 of the card stock 225 while making it unnecessary towrite information into the inserted memory cards individually. Since, atthis time, the inserted memory card is utilized as the new card stock225, the stocked cards are reduced only in case a memory card 1 is newlypurchased, so that the card stock 225 need not be frequently supplied.Since the electronic information to be written in the memory card 1 isreceived through the communication interface 200, the information havingthe content to be quickened such as the newspaper information can bedistributed, and no work is required for updating the information to bedistributed.

[2] The aforementioned memory card 1 has an area MEM1 for recording theinformation (i.e., the guaranteed number of rewrite operations MO or thelimit B) indicating the limit of rewriting electronic information, andan area MEM2 for recording the actual number of rewrite operations M,wherein when the actual number reaches a predetermined value the memorycard 1 ends its service in the card stock 225 so that the electronicinformation is rewritten by updating the available number till itreaches the predetermined value. As a result, the reliability of theinformation distribution can be retained under the circumstances inwhich the number of rewrite operations of the nonvolatile semiconductormemory is limited. Specifically, the expired memory card 1 can berecovered and replaced without bothering the user to prevent theundesired expiration of the memory card 1 so that the reliability forselling the electronic information can be improved.

[3] There are provided the operation unit (205, 413, 226) for selectingthe kind of the electronic information demanding the distribution; andthe accounting means (206, 229) for collecting the charge for thedistribution of the electronic information. As a result, it is possibleto realize the electronic information distributing terminal like anautomatic vendor.

[4] When the desired information is selected from the electronicinformation stored in the data buffer 411, as shown in FIG. 8, the costfor the distribution of the information can be collected to satisfy boththe improvement in the information distribution service and thepropriety for the charge.

[5] Thanks to the data buffer 411, as shown in FIG. 8, and the databuffer 221 for temporarily storing the electronic information fed fromthe communication interface 200, as shown in FIG. 21, it is possible toshorten the time required from the demand for the distribution of theelectronic information to the completion of writing the electronicinformation.

[6] By storing the separated text information and motion imageinformation separately in the memory card 1, the portable displayterminal 4 for reproducing the text information and the motion imageinformation need not be provided with circuit means for separating thetext information and the motion image information so that theportability of the portable display terminal 4 can be enhanced.

[7] The text information stored in the storage means and a portion ofthe corresponding motion image information are displayed as a staticimage in the display unit 403 so that the static image is reproduced asa motion image, if necessary. As a result, at the time of reproducingthe distributed electronic information, as to the mode of displaying thetext information and the motion image information, information can bedisplayed clearly and more information can be displayed, if necessary.

Although our invention has been specifically described in connectionwith its preferred embodiments, it should not be limited to thoseembodiments but can naturally be modified in various manners withoutdeparting from the gist thereof. For example, the separation of the textinformation and the motion image information can be effected by theportable display terminal (or the distributed electronic informationreproducing system). In this case, the image information and the textinformation are stored in the memory card while being separated on thestorage area. Moreover, the specific construction of the user interfaceshould not be limited to the foregoing embodiments.

Industrial Applicability

As described hereinbefore, the present invention can be applied to aterminal for distributing newspaper information having motion images, asystem for reproducing the newspaper information having the motionimages, and a memory card acting as a storage medium for storing thenewspaper information. In addition, the present invention can be appliedto a system for distributing, reproducing and storing the electronicinformation, including newspaper information having the motion images aswell as information of other periodic publications, or books.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic information distributing terminalfor writing electronic information into a memory card equipped with anelectrically rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory device todistribute the information, comprising: a communication interfacethrough which the electronic information is received for storing into amemory card; means for distributing the electronic information byissuing a memory card from card stock which is provided in the terminaland in which the electronic information is written before a demand fordistributing the electronic information is made, in response to thedemand for distributing the electronic information; means for checking amemory card inserted with the demand; means for adding the memory cardinserted with the demand to the card stock so that the memory cardinserted with the demand is used as a memory card for holding electronicinformation if the checking means determines that the memory cardinserted with the demand is usable; and means for reading user data fromthe memory card inserted with the demand and writing the user data inthe memory card to be issued.
 2. An electronic information distributingterminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the memory cards inthe card stock has an area for holding a predetermined number, and anarea for recording an executing number of rewrite operations; andwherein the checking means checks whether the executing number ofrewrite operations reaches the predetermined number, and permits theadding means to add the memory card to the card stock if the executingnumber of rewrite operations has not reached the predetermined number.3. An electronic information distributing terminal as set forth in claim2, further comprising an operation unit for selecting the kind of theelectronic information demanded for the distribution; and accountingmeans for collecting a charge for the distribution of the electronicinformation.
 4. An electronic information distributing terminal as setforth in claim 2, wherein the predetermined number indicates a maximumnumber of rewrite operations of a memory card.
 5. An electronicinformation distributing terminal as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising: a data buffer for temporarily storing the electronicinformation fed from the communication interface, the electronicinformation including text information and its corresponding motionvideo information; a memory card interface which is arranged to receivethe electronic information from the data buffer and writes one of themotion video information and the text information thereof into thememory card in a direction from a first address to a second address onthe memory card, and writes the other of the motion video informationand the text information in a direction from the second address to thefirst address so that the memory card separately stores the textinformation and the corresponding motion video information received fromsaid data buffer; an operation unit for selecting which of theelectronic information is to be stored in the memory card from the databuffer; and accounting means for collecting a charge for the electronicinformation selected by the operation unit.
 6. An electronic informationdistributing terminal as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electronicinformation written to the memory card before the demand includes textinformation and its corresponding motion video information.
 7. Anelectronic information distributing terminal for writing electronicinformation into a memory card equipped with an electrically rewritablenonvolatile semiconductor memory device to distribute the information,comprising: a communication interface; a card stock provided in theterminal, including a plurality of memory cards in each of whichelectronic information distributed through the communication interfacehas been held; a control unit which checks a memory card inserted with ademand for distributing the electronic information, which adds thememory card inserted with the demand to the card stock so that thememory card inserted with a demand is used as a memory card for holdingelectronic information if the checking operation determines that thememory card inserted with the demand is usable, and which permits amemory card to be issued from a card stock in response to the demand;and means for reading user data from the memory card inserted with thedemand and writing the user data in the memory card to be issued.